Kobach's office: Stopping him from paying contempt fine with state money 'illegal'

TOPEKA -- Kris Kobach’s office says a House effort to stop him from using state money to pay fines for being found in contempt of court is illegal.

A top lawyer in the secretary of state’s office condemned the Republican-controlled House’s decision to put the prohibition in its most recent budget. In a letter to legislative leaders obtained by McClatchy, senior counsel Sue Becker raised potential problems with the budget requirement.

“(The) proviso is illegal and would require the State to expend significant resources in any futile attempt to defend it,” the letter says.

The budget move was offered by Rep. Russ Jennings, R-Lakin. He said last week the stipulation would prohibit using any state money for defense or penalties involved in a finding of a contempt of court by statewide elected officials. That would include the governor and the secretary of state.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article210176889.html